Section 202A — Crimes Act 1961: Possession of offensive weapons or disabling substances

202A Possession of offensive weapons or disabling substances (1) In subsection (4)(a) of this section offensive weapon means any article made or altered for use for causing bodily injury, or intended by the person having it with him for such use. (2) In subsection (4)(b) of this section offensive weapon means any article capable of being used for causing bodily injury. (3) In this section disabling substance means any anaesthetising or other substance produced for use for disabling persons, or intended by any person having it with him for such use. (4) Every one is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years— (a) Who, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, has with him in any public place any knife or offensive weapon or disabling substance; or (b) Who has in his possession in any place any offensive weapon or disabling substance in circumstances that prima facie show an intention to use it to commit an offence involving bodily injury or the threat or fear of violence. (5) It is a defence to a charge under subsection (4)(b) of this section if the person charged proves that he did not intend to use the offensive weapon or disabling substance to commit an offence involving bodily injury or the threat or fear of violence. Sections 202A and 202B were inserted, as from 1 February 1982, by section 48(1) Crimes Amendment Act 1981 (1981 No 113). Subsection (4) was amended, as from 28 October 1986, by section 4 Crimes Amendment Act (No 2) 1986 (1986 No 71) by substituting the expression “ 2 years ” for the expression “ 1 year ” ; Subsection (4)(a) was amended, as from 1 August 1987, by 2(1)Crimes Amendment Act (No 2) 1987 (1987 No 167) by inserting the words “ knife or ” .